MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII -- African Americans, Asians, American Indians and other minority groups make up less than one third of the military population. These service members come from backgrounds with cultures and traditions, which offer a different perspective. Their unique background offers an approach inspiring to leading Marines, learning from other Marines and their overall conduct as a United States citizen.
Amid that statistic is Gunnery Sgt. Jimi Khamisi, the staff noncommissioned officer in charge of Marine Wing Support Detachment 24. He was born in Nairobi, Kenya in 1977 and was raised in a predominately Muslim environment. As a child, he was taught to treat elders with respect and learned the importance of tact and discipline, traits that would later be useful to him as a Marine.
“I learned very early in my childhood that the best thing one can possess in life is a good attitude, a positive mind, good moral character and helping those who need help,” Khamisi said. “In Islam we are taught to always be kind to our enemies and spread peace and love.”
In 1996, after high school, Khamisi left Kenya to live with his sister in Tanzania, where he worked as a desk assistant at a hotel. From there, in 1998, he set out for Oxnard, Calif., to join his mother who was already living there. His goal was to attend the University of California, Los Angeles to study law and social interaction, and to support himself financially, and found himself working in the fast food industry as a food preparer. However, his objective changed after spending one year in the United States. He sought out a Marine Corps recruiter and decided that this was the route he would take.
“I joined the Marines to make a difference in other peoples lives,” he said. “The Marine Corps is a honorable institution and turns young men into respectful and successful leaders wherever they go. I found myself (talking to a) recruiter, and the rest was history.”
After attending recruit training aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, he realized, similar to the holiday of Ramadhan, where Muslims practice patience while undergoing a monthlong fast, the Marine Corps requires the same discipline.
“Ramadhan is a challenging month for us Muslims,” Khamisi said. “We fast from dawn to sunset and stay away from all sins such as backbiting and idle talk. Every year it prepares us for challenges. Marines do annual training to sharpen our skills and get in the proper Marine Corps mindset every year. Ramadhan refreshes my soul and body in order to be able to act accordingly in any situation until the cycle repeats itself.”
Outside of Ramadan, Khamisi maintains enthusiasm for his culture, and finds time outside of his busy work schedule to volunteer in the community and educate others who come from a similar background.
“I teach children Arabic and Quran studies on Sundays at the Hawaii Mosque,” he said. “I also participate with the mosque activities such visiting the sick in hospitals, inmates in the prisons, feeding the homeless in Hawaii and educating other about the religion of Islam. There are many other activities we do like Quran competitions and awards for the best memorization of the Quran.”
Khamisi also noted that because his culture coincides with the Marine Corps, he is able to practice his culture’s traditions naturally, making it possible for him to balance his cultural interests with the military ethos.
“Just like the Marine Corps, the value of honor, courage and commitment are well ingrained in my culture,” Khamisi said. “One must honor his family by acting right and doing his best in everything that he does. One must have the courage to help those who are oppressed. Lastly, one must also be committed in achieving his goals and tasks. Having the ability to push through difficult moments and taking pride in ones commitment to get results.”